Bath County, Kentucky – As students return to classrooms this week, Bath County Schools are stepping up road safety measures for its transportation fleet. Transportation Director Phil Dettwiller explained that the district is installing stop‑arm cameras on all school buses, a move prompted by a recent Kentucky law that raises penalties for drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus.
Camera rollout and retro‑fitting
Dettwiller said every new bus purchased in the past three years already includes a stop‑arm camera. “We are retro‑fitting the older buses so they can have the same technology,” he said. The cameras will record any vehicle that crosses the bus’s stop arm while children are boarding or exiting, providing clear evidence for law enforcement.
Why the focus now?
Recent incidents have underscored the danger of illegal bus passing. In nearby Georgetown, a driver who ignored a stopped school bus struck a 10‑year‑old student crossing to board. In Magoffin County, school officials reported multiple vehicles passing stopped buses during loading periods. Those events, Dettwiller noted, remind drivers that “conditions can change quickly” and that vigilance is essential.
Parental concerns
Parent Brandy Collett expressed the emotional toll such violations take on families. “A lot of anger goes through my mind because that is someone’s children. They should be the number one priority and your number one instinct is to stop,” she said. The district’s camera program aims to give parents peace of mind by holding reckless motorists accountable.
Driver responsibilities
Even with technology, Dettwiller emphasized that bus drivers must remain alert. He still drives a bus himself and said each stop requires constant scanning of traffic, students, and the surrounding environment. “When they completely neglect that, it makes you nervous. It heightens your senses and makes you pay more attention,” he explained.
Looking ahead
Before the first day of school, transportation staff are conducting safety checks across the county, reviewing routes, vehicle conditions, and driver training. Dettwiller summed up the district’s mission: “It’s not just about my kids; I think about the other kids on how we can make it more safe for them.” The expanded camera program, combined with driver vigilance and community awareness, is intended to reduce the risk of illegal bus passing and protect every child traveling to and from school.
Community involvement
The district encourages parents and motorists to respect stop‑arm signals and report violations. By working together, Bath County hopes to set a standard for student safety that other Kentucky districts may follow.
Original reporting: WTVQ (Lexington) — read the source article.
